Tuesday, 12 February 2008

First Among Sequels

First Among Sequels
Jasper Fforde

The latest Thursday Next novel and again a book for book and story
lovers. A brief introduction: Thursday Next is a literary detective in
an alternative reality where books are the single most popular form of
entertainment. And in this alternative reality the line between the
real world and a fictional world inside books is blurry. That probably
sounds confusing. I'll try to clear it up: In this work of fiction an
alternative reality is presented, in that alternative reality there is
a world within works of fiction. The line between the fictional
real world and the fictional fictional world is blurred. All clear
now? No? Better read the books then, starting with The Eyre Affair;
you'll love them if you love books.

This, the fifth book, is quite an independent story; as opposed to the
preceding three - really a single story. The break between books has
also been good for the world of the story. Fforde seems to have spent
a lot of time cementing down how the world works. There is none of the
drift and none of the continuity problems that the previous books
started to show. And of course, for fans of the series there are
plenty of cute little jokes. Fforde must remove dozens of these in
draft as he always manages to resist the temptation to turn to
gimmicks.

As an aside, once you read this book, go read about The Long Now
Foundation the 10,000 Year Clock. Don't worry, I haven't
given anything away. In fact, go read those now even if you don't plan
on reading the book. The review's nearly over.

If you were a little disappointed by Lost in a Good Book or Well of
Lost Plots then cast those fears aside. Thursday's back, and she's
back on track.